Ruskin Bond, the internationally renowned and loved writer, will turn 80 on May 19 this year. It is indeed a grand occasion being looked forward to by the people of Doon valley and Mussoorie, besides his fans and admirers spread all over the country and abroad. Birthday celebrations will be organised in Doon and Mussoorie to mark the important day.
With each passing year, Bond's writing seems to be getting more interesting and also, it is as fresh and innocent as it was when he began his writing career in the year 1951.
Bond's name has become synonymous with Mussoorie and Dehradun, with hills and with stories of simple people, told tongue-in-cheek and with an all-embracing warmth and candour. Ruskin Bond is no longer just a writer. He means many things to many people. An icon of excellence for some, an inspiration for others, a symbol of simplicity and good humour for many and a weaver of exquisite tales for a lot of his admirers and fans.
I have known him, as an avid reader and a journalist, for more than two decades. In fact, as a reader I have known him since childhood and on a personal level, reviewing his books, meeting him, talking to him, I have known him for the last two decades.This "grand old writer on the Hill" is one of the best human beings I have ever met. As good and as simple as his stories. As unassuming as anyone can ever be. In fact, as good as gold. People in Doon and Mussoorie who have known him closely will vouch for this.
Bond can never stop writing. He says he always gets the feeling that time is getting shorter and he needs to write many a story more, many a new book."And then there are people who come and ask me," Mr. Bond, are you still writingIJ", If birds can ever stop singing, only then can writers stop writing. I cannot understand why people ask such questions. Writers never retire. I never run out of ideas for my writing. If I run out of people, I write about ghosts!" As soon as I complete one book, I am impatient to start on my next," says the writer.
Ruskin Bond has a gentle charm. It has kept him going even as he wanders around the hill side identifying wildflowers for children or just listening patiently to the local baker's complaint of poor yeast and as the years have gone by, he has become a living legend, an institution.Having long ago, effortlessly, crossed his 'century' of published titles, Ruskin Bond has maintained his integrity as a writer and has worked towards his goals with single-minded devotion. Perhaps his greatest achievement is that he has persevered in his dream of becoming a full-time writer.
And he writes for those 'gentle readers' who are interested in the beauty of nature and the dignity in the lives of ordinary people rather than in stormy events. While shying away from provocative social protest, his stories deal with social issues such as the preservation of our environment, the right to education, respect for humanity, and a sense of justice and fair play. In doing so, his stories achieve a universal quality that transcends the regional locale and endorses the human endeavor to survive against odds and to preserve what is beautiful and meaningful.
looking back at his life of eighty years, he says he is grateful to God that he gave me a long writing life. "I have no regrets in life. I have been writing for sixty three years and making a living out of it! I really feel blessed as I have lived the life I wanted to. Not all people can claim to have done that. I have followed my instinct more than intelligence. I am still the impractical dreamer that I was 63 years ago when I decided that writing would be my vocation. I have never written a story or essay unless I have really wanted to write it.
The birds and trees, the flowers and even the little insects in the wilderness near his home in landour Cantonment are close to his heart. It is among them that he likes to spend most of the time which he gets when he is not doing what he loves doing best-writing."There's nature all around me. My shrubbery is my favourite place. Watching nature change its colours with the changing seasons enchants me. The sparrows are here all the year round. And so are the thrushes. It is summer and fruit-eating birds have arrived. The presence of these birds adds tranquility to my life."
Here's wishing 'Bond of the Mountains' a happy 80th birthday and many more years of writing!